About

Basic Info

Hi, I’m Josh Wepman – a computer security specialist, linguist and student at the University of Colorado – Boulder. I am currently completing degrees in Computer Science (emphasis on Networked Devices and Systems Security), Russian Studies (Literature and Language) and Japanese Studies (Literature, Culture and Language) and reside in Boulder with my roommate Greg O’Brien. I am also happily engaged to the love of my life, Crystal, who is serving the United States of America in the Army National Guard, as a Combat Medic. Some of my other passions include hiking, programming, computer penetration testing, hacking contests, reading, writing poetry, and visiting hot springs around the world (so far, Japan beats everywhere else in this regard!).

I spend most of my time studying, practicing my languages, and toying with hacking projects. My favorite types of hacking are: blackbox code reverse-engineering and web code/SQL injection. I am about level 2+/3 on the ILR language proficiency scale in both Russian and Japanese, and am working on Modern Hebrew (though I have a while to go for that one). Life is great — I am blessed with loving friends and family, and intense passions for computers, languages, philosophy and logic — and I am truly thankful to be able to exercise my skills for the benefit of my family, community and country.

Vision and Values

If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you. –Fyodor Dostoevsky

Whilst most people don’t talk about their personal values, I feel it prudent to be able to express my modus operandi, as it were, to explain why I am who I am, and how the ideals I hold sacred drive my actions. I believe that each of us is endowed with a propensity for discerning basic morality, whether infallible, or from whence did such a facility come is, of course, up for debate. Nevertheless, I think it’s obvious that almost everyone has some capability of telling right from wrong. In any case, that is what this section is ultimately about: it is about my vision for a better future, through advocacy of that which is right, for the sake of doing what’s right. Whatever theology you wish to attach to this (and believe me, I do have a theology to which I personally hold), we can all agree that this is a good end and viable means to achieve this.

As a result, I believe that it is our responsibility to stand up for what is right, for what is just, and for what is True. We are obviously gifted with a certain hunger for the Truth, as Dostoevsky (one of my favorite authors indeed) aptly writes, “Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” (Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov) — ultimately, love and our relationships with one another hinge on it. This leads me to the paramount value of love, in conjunction with a grave responsibility to justice. Our fundamental identity as human beings is therefore to love and to do justly, and I believe that this duty is God-given.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? –Juvenal

I live for this ultimate cause, to love and to live, to uphold righteousness. Fundamentally, this is comparable and complimentary to my theology, which I shall leave for another discussion. I believe in a wonderful and bright future, and most of all, I believe that everyone is an integral part of the world, no matter how meek or seemingly insignificant. It is the responsibility of each of us to guard our society from corruption and evil, both of which are viable forces in our very world and communities today. We are given a vast world to manage, rife with misfortune, suffering and difficulty. Fundamentally, Love is the means and the end, and is revealed to those who truly seek it. It is by this understanding and this calling that I align my actions and desires. This is our great commission in action, and that, along with belief hold the key to living a good life.

Interests

(coming soon)

Random Facts

  • I love my country and it has been my desire since I was little to serve
  • I am passionate about languages – Russian and Japanese and am learning Hebrew. Back in the day, I also have been rumored to speak un poco de Español.
  • I like to randomly blurt out phrases and words in various languages. Most of the time they make sense in context. I like seeing the confused look on people’s faces when I do this.
  • Sometimes, I speak Japanese like a samurai.
  • I LOVE Perl (nuff said).
  • I like debating things, even if I know my position is wrong.
  • COFFEE
  • I like and prefer Linux, but don’t really hate Windows.
  • I’m in the Civil Air Patrol, and it’s a Love/Hate relationship!
  • I like to have fun — contact me if you want to know me better ;)

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